Evaporator fins in contact with end bracket

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator is provided with an evaporator assembly located in a compartment. The evaporator assembly includes a pipe, a fan assembly, a plurality of fins, a first and second bracket. The pipe is configured to transport a refrigerant that exchanges heat with an air stream from the compartment. The plurality of fins is inserted on the pipe. The brackets each include apertures to receive bent end portions of the pipe. The brackets are configured to hold the pipe and the fins in a specific position, to mount the evaporator assembly within the compartment, and restrict the air stream exiting the evaporator assembly from mixing with the air stream entering the evaporator assembly. The fins include end fins that are placed in direct contact with the first end bracket and are configured to further restrict the air stream from flowing through the plurality of apertures of the brackets.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.12/395,183, filed on Feb. 27, 2009. This application is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an evaporator assembly for anappliance, and more particularly, to a refrigeration appliance thatincludes an evaporator assembly.

Refrigeration appliances such as domestic refrigerators, typically haveboth a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment or section. Thefresh food compartment is where food items such as fruits, vegetables,and beverages are stored and the freezer compartment is where food itemsthat are to be kept in a frozen condition are stored. The refrigeratorsare provided with refrigeration systems that maintain the fresh foodcompartments at temperatures somewhat greater than, or above, 0° C. andthe freezer compartments at temperatures below 0° C.

The refrigeration systems for such refrigerators usually include anevaporator for the freezer compartment that cools the air in the freezercompartment of the refrigerator to temperatures below zero degreesCelsius. Air movers, such as fans for example, circulate the air in thefreezer compartment for the purpose of bringing the cold air intocontact with all sections of the freezer compartment.

Typically, an evaporator can include a plurality of fins that receive anexternal surface of a pipe through which refrigerant flows. Theevaporator is configured to carry out heat exchange with external airpassing over the fins and the external surface of pipes. The pipes canhave a serpentine arrangement with a plurality of fins disposed aroundthe pipes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some example aspects of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Moreover,this summary is not intended to identify critical elements of theinvention nor delineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose ofthe summary is to present some concepts of the invention in simplifiedform as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presentedlater.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a refrigerationappliance is provided comprising a compartment and an evaporatorassembly located to cool the compartment. The evaporator assemblyincludes a pipe, a fan assembly, a plurality of fins, and a first endbracket and a second end bracket located at a first distance from thefirst end bracket. The pipe is configured to transport a refrigerantthat exchanges heat with an air stream from the compartment that isentering the evaporator assembly. The fan assembly is configured to movethe air stream exiting from the evaporator assembly to other portions ofthe refrigeration appliance. The pipe has a plurality of bent endportions to allow the pipe to wind itself repeatedly to form a pluralityof rows. The plurality of fins are located between the plurality of thebent end portions. The first end bracket and the second end bracket eachinclude a plurality of apertures to receive each bent end portion of thepipe. The first end bracket and the second end bracket are configured tohold the pipe and the plurality of fins in a specific position. Thefirst end bracket and the second end bracket are configured to mount theevaporator assembly. The first end bracket and the second end bracketrestrict the air stream exiting the evaporator assembly from mixing withthe air stream entering the evaporator assembly. The plurality of finsinclude a plurality of end fins that are placed in direct contact withthe first end bracket and are configured to further restrict the airstream from flowing through the plurality of apertures of the first endbracket and the second end bracket.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, arefrigeration appliance is provided comprises a freezer compartment, afresh food compartment, and an evaporator assembly located in thefreezer compartment. The evaporator assembly includes a first endbracket, a second end bracket located at a first distance from the firstend bracket, a pipe extending between the first end bracket and thesecond end bracket of the evaporator assembly, a fan assembly, aplurality of apertures located on the first end bracket and the secondend bracket, and a plurality of fins inserted on the pipe. The first endbracket and the second end bracket are configured to mount theevaporator assembly within the freezer compartment. The pipe isconfigured to transport a refrigerant that exchanges heat with an airstream from the fresh food compartment that enters the evaporatorassembly between the first end bracket and the second end bracket. Thefan assembly is configured to move the air stream exiting from theevaporator assembly to other portions of the refrigeration appliance.The pipe has a plurality of bent end portions where each of theplurality of the bent end portions is received by one of the pluralityof apertures on the first end bracket and the second end bracket, wherethe bent end portions are configured to allow the pipe to wind itselfrepeatedly to form a plurality of rows between the first end bracket andthe second end bracket. The plurality of fins are located between thefirst end bracket and the second end bracket. The plurality of finsinclude a plurality of end fins that are placed in direct contact withthe first end bracket and the second end bracket and are configured torestrict the air stream from flowing through the plurality of apertures.The first end bracket and the second end bracket include a gasket on afirst edge and a second edge of each end bracket where the gasket isconfigured to separate each end bracket from a liner of the freezercompartment to prevent a formation of frost on the liner.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofassembling an evaporator assembly for a refrigeration appliancecomprises the steps of providing a plurality of pipes, inserting aplurality of groups of fins on the plurality of pipes, bending each ofthe pipes along a first axis to form a second row for each of theplurality of pipes, bending each of the pipes along a second axis toform a third row for each of the plurality of pipes, repeatedly bendingeach of the pipes along the first axis and then the second axis to formadditional rows of the pipes, installing a first end bracket about thefirst axis, installing a second end bracket about the second axis,placing the plurality of fins located closest to each end bracket incontact with each end bracket to prevent air from flowing through theplurality of apertures on each end bracket, and welding the first endand the second end of each of the plurality of pipes to other ends orpipe segments to assemble the plurality of pipes into one continuouspipe. The pipes are provided by starting at a first end and terminatingat a second end where each pipe provided is in a different plane. Eachfin from each group of fins receives each of the pipes provided. Thegroups of fins are inserted in alternating orientations. The first endbracket is installed by providing the first end bracket with a pluralityof apertures that receive each of the plurality of bent end portionsabout the first axis. The second end bracket is installed by providingthe second end bracket with a plurality of apertures that receive eachof the plurality of bent end portions about the second axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionrelates upon reading the following description with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a refrigerator and freezerapparatus that includes a freezer compartment and a fresh foodcompartment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an evaporator assembly in the freezercompartment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the evaporator assembly of FIG. 2 with acover;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the evaporator assembly of FIG. 2 witha cover for the fan assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of the evaporator assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the evaporator assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a first end bracket shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a second end bracket shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the first end bracket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10A is a front view of a fin of FIG. 2 where the fin is in a firstorientation;

FIG. 10B is a front view of a fin of FIG. 2 where the fin is in a secondorientation;

FIG. 11 is front view of a plurality of pipes used for assembling theevaporator assembly of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 12 is a top view of the plurality of pipes of FIG. 11 after thepipes have been bent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Examples of embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of thepresent invention are described and illustrated in the drawings. Theseillustrated examples are not intended to be a limitation on the presentinvention. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention canbe utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices.Moreover, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and isnot to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. Still further,in the drawings, the same reference numerals are employed fordesignating the same elements.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a refrigeration appliance inthe form of a domestic refrigerator, indicated generally at 10. Althoughthe detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention thatfollows concerns a domestic refrigerator, the invention can be employedother than with a domestic refrigerator. The refrigerator 10 in theexample of FIG. 1 includes a freezer compartment 12 or section locatedin the lower portion of the refrigerator, access to which is had througha door. The freezer compartment 12 is used to freeze and/or maintainarticles of food stored in the freezer compartment in a frozencondition. For this purpose, the freezer compartment is maintained at atemperature of 0° C. or less in a manner described below. A fresh foodcompartment 14 is located in the upper portion of the refrigerator 10 inthis example. Access to the fresh food compartment is had through thedouble doors, or French doors 16. The fresh food compartment 14 servesto keep articles of food stored in the fresh food compartment 14 fromspoiling by maintaining the articles of food cool but at a temperaturesomewhat above zero degrees Celsius so as not to freeze the articles offood. Water and ice can be dispensed through a recessed opening, or port18 located in the door 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, an example of an evaporator assembly 20 is shown inthe freezer compartment 12. The evaporator assembly 20 can be placed inany compartment or outside any compartment to cool the compartment. Theexample shown, where the evaporator assembly 20 is in the freezercompartment 12, is just one example. The example evaporator assembly 20can include a first end bracket 22 and a second end bracket 24 locatedat a first distance from the first end bracket 22. The first end bracket22 and the second end bracket 24 are configured to mount or suspend theevaporator assembly 20. In the example shown, the end brackets areconfigured to mount or suspend the evaporator assembly 20 within thefreezer compartment 12. The first end bracket 22 can include a mountingstructure 23, such as a flange that includes apertures for receivingfasteners. The second end bracket 24 can include a second mountingstructure 25 with similar features, such as a flange that includesapertures for receiving fasteners. The mounting features 23, 25 areprovided to assist in installing or securing the entire evaporatorassembly 20 on a liner 19 of the freezer compartment 12. The mountingfeatures 23, 25 allow the evaporator assembly 20 to be installed in theright location each time an appliance is assembled. The evaporatorassembly 20 further includes a pipe 30 and a plurality of fins 50 thatinclude a plurality of end fins 60. The pipe 30 can be a continuous pipe30 in one example and can be comprised of a number of different pipes orpipe portions.

The pipe 30 is provided that is configured to transport a refrigerantfor exchanging heat with an air stream 43 entering from the fresh foodcompartment 14. At least one return duct 40 can be provided that isconfigured to expel the air stream 43 from the fresh food compartment 14to a passage 42. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, two return ducts 40,40 a can be provided that are configured to expel the air stream 43 fromthe fresh food compartment 14 to passages 42, 42 a. The passages 42, 42a, in this example, guide or direct the air stream 43 to a bottomportion of the rows of the pipe 30 of the evaporator assembly 20. Theair stream 43 then flows over the evaporator assembly 20 between thefirst end bracket 22 and the second end bracket 24 to a fan assembly 26.The fan assembly 26 is configured to move the air stream 43 that isexiting from the evaporator assembly 20 to other portions of theappliance 10. The first end bracket 22 and the second end bracket 24restrict the air stream 43 exiting or leaving the evaporator assembly 20from mixing with the warm air stream entering the evaporator assembly20. The end brackets 22, 24 are thus able to divide the differentpressure air streams which have different moisture contents.

The pipe 30 can include a plurality of bent end portions 32 that arelocated on the exterior of the first end bracket 22 and the second endbracket 24. The bent end portions 32 are configured to allow the pipe towind itself repeatedly to form a plurality of rows on the interiorbetween the first end bracket 22 and the second end bracket 24. Thefirst end bracket 22 and the second end bracket 24 can be configured tohold the pipe 30 and the plurality of fins 50 in a specific position.Generally, there is some force or spring action by the coils which coulddisrupt the shape of the evaporator assembly 20. The first end bracket22 and the second end bracket 24 provide additional rigidity and canhold the evaporator assembly 20 together. There can be a plurality ofrows of pipe as shown in the top view of the evaporator assembly 20 inFIG. 2 and a plurality of rows are also present in a front view of theevaporator assembly 20. Thus, the pipe can form a plurality of rowswithin the three-dimensional evaporator assembly 20.

As refrigerant flows through an inlet of the pipe 30, it enters each ofthe rows of the pipe by being transported through the bent end portions32. The pipe 30 is provided with the plurality of fins 50 inserted onthe surface of the pipe 30 and located between the first end bracket 22and the second end bracket 24. The fins 50 can also be defined as beinglocated between the bent end portions 32. The fins 50 maximize surfacearea for the air stream 43 that passes through for heat transferpurposes. Air chilled by the coils of the pipe 30 can be moved by thefan assembly 26 into the fresh-food compartment 14 through a passage,such as the exit duct 44. The exit duct 44 can extend between thefresh-food compartment 14 and the freezer compartment 12 to removethermal energy from the fresh-food compartment 14.

A heating element 100 can be provided for defrosting the evaporator pipe30. The heating element 100 can be attached to each end bracket 22, 24and can be secured by a heating element connector 102. A modularconnection can be provided between the heating element 100 and the powersupply of the appliance. The heating element 100 can extend along abottom portion of the evaporator assembly 20. The heating element 100can be activated to defrost the pipe 30 at various locations, such asthe bottom portion.

A cover 70 can be provided that is installed over the evaporatorassembly 20, as shown in FIG. 3. The cover 70 can substantially concealthe entire evaporator assembly 20. The fan assembly 26 can still beexposed by the cover 70, though in other examples, the cover 70 can alsoconceal the fan assembly 26. The passages 42, 42 a for the air stream 43can be defined in part by the liner 19, shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, andthe cover 70, shown in FIG. 3. The liner 19 can include variousfeatures, walls, or channels to direct the air stream 43 in a desireddirection, as shown in part by FIG. 2. The cover 70 can include aplurality of vent apertures 72. The vent apertures 72 can be configuredto expel air in a plurality of directions. For example, the ventapertures 72 on the left side of the center of the cover 70 can beconfigured to direct air to the left direction. The vent apertures 72 onthe right side of the center of the cover 70 can be configured to directair to the right direction. Various other components, such as anevaporator pressure regulator, can be pushed back against the liner 19before the cover 70 is installed.

As shown in FIG. 4, a fan assembly cover 110 can also be provided thatis installed over the fan assembly 26. The fan assembly cover 110 isconfigured to direct the air stream 43 from the evaporator assembly 20into the duct 44 for transportation of the air stream 43, which has nowbeen cooled, into other portions of the appliance 10. The fan assemblycover 110 can be configured to direct the air stream 43 from the fanassembly 26 into a different direction than the direction the fanassembly 26 is directing the air stream 43. The different directions ofair allow the fan assembly 26 to be placed in a location such that wateror condensation from the duct 44 is unable to drip directly on the fanassembly 26. This prevents the fan assembly 26 from becoming full offrost or even frozen and inoperative. The fan assembly 26, in thisexample, is configured to blow air out from the evaporator assembly 20in a generally horizontal direction. The fan assembly cover 110 candirect the air traveling horizontally into a generally verticaldirection into the opening of the duct 44. Thus, in this example, anymoisture at the duct 44 will drip only onto the fan assembly cover 110and will not prevent the fan assembly 26 from operating. The fanassembly cover 110 can direct the air stream 43 into other directions aswell. In other examples, the cover 70 and the fan assembly cover 110 canbe a single unitary object.

A perspective view of the evaporator assembly 20 is shown in FIG. 5.This view includes many of the same components as in FIG. 2. Forexample, the second end bracket 24 is shown with additional detail.Furthermore, the end turns of the bent end portions 32 of the pipe 30that protrude from the second end bracket 24 can be seen in this view.In this example, the path of the refrigerant within the pipe 30 can bedescribed. Refrigerant can enter the second end bracket 24 from thelocation of 122. The pipe 30 then travels to the first end bracket 22,has a bent end portion 32, and then returns to the second end bracket24. This pattern continues until the pipe reaches the top right portionof the bends. At this point, the pipe is bent to form a different row orcolumn of pipes, as it reaches point 126. The pipe 30 then extendstowards the first end bracket 22, has a bent end portion 32, and returnsto the second end bracket 24. This pattern continues until the pipe 30reaches the lower middle portion of the bends. At this point, the pipeis bent to form a different row or column of pipes, as it reaches point120. The pipe 30 then extends towards the first end bracket 22, has abent end portion 32, and returns to the second end bracket 24. Thispattern continues until the pipe 30 reaches the upper left portion ofthe bends of the bent end portions 32. At this point, the pipe is bentat point 120.

FIG. 5 also illustrates that the plurality of fins 50 can include aplurality of end fins 60 in contact with the end bracket 24. The endfins 60 refer to the fins that are closest in location to the first endbracket 22 and the second end bracket 24. The end fins 60 furtherrestrict the air stream 43, shown in FIG. 2, from escaping during thecooling through the end bracket. The end fins 60 also restrict the airstream 43 from entering the evaporator assembly 20 before it has enteredfrom the bottom portion of the evaporator assembly 20. Thus, the endfins 60 that are in contact with the end brackets 22, 24 improve theefficiency of the cooling of the air stream 43 as it helps to ensurethat the air stream 43 is moved across the maximum amount of the pipe30.

FIG. 5 also shows an example orientation of the heating element 100, asit extends along the bottom portion of the evaporator assembly 20. Theheating element 100 can further include a plurality of strap mechanisms104 or other fasteners. The strap mechanisms 104 can be used to secureor hold the heating element in a desired position, such as along aspecific segment of the pipe 30. The heating element 100 can beinstalled along the bottom portion of the evaporator assembly 20 toprevent frost from accumulating on the bottom portion of the evaporatorassembly 20 and inhibiting the operation of the evaporator assembly 20.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the evaporator assembly 20. This viewincludes many of the same components as in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. In FIG. 6,the evaporator fins 50 are shown to have two spaces 52. These spaces 52are provided to provide a mounting support area for the fan assembly 26,as shown in FIG. 2. The plurality of fins 50 can also have variousspacing along the different rows of the pipe 30. For example, the bottomtwo rows can have a decreased density of fins. The decreased density canbe used to reduce the amount of frost that accumulates because the aircoming in is very wet and is more likely to create frost on these lowerrows. The decreased density in this location helps to ensure thatfreezing of the evaporator assembly 20 does not occur and the evaporatorassembly 20 operates efficiently and properly. The density of the fins50 can also be different along each row of pipes, as also shown in FIG.9 where there is more space between fins 50 on the rows that are on thebottom portion of the evaporator assembly 20 than in the other rows ofthe evaporator assembly 20.

In addition, FIG. 6 shows that either one heating element 100 or twoheating elements 100 can be mounted, such that the first end bracket 22and the second end bracket 24 both carry a heating element connector 102for connection to a power supply. The heating element 100 can also beshown as extending along the bottom portion of the evaporator assembly20.

As shown in FIG. 7, an example of the first end bracket 22 is shown froma side view. The first end bracket 22 includes a plurality of apertures80. The plurality of apertures 80 is configured to receive each bent endportion 32 of the pipe 30. To simplify assembly, the apertures 80 canhave a size that is greater than the bent end portions 32 to easilyslide the end bracket 22 over the bent end portions 32. In addition, asshown in the aperture on the upper right portion of FIG. 7, the aperture80 receives a portion of the pipe 30 at a first end 82 of the aperture80 and a portion of the pipe 30 re-enters the aperture 80 at a secondend 84 of the aperture 80 after being bent. The aperture 80 can furtherinclude an intermediate portion 86 between the first end 82 and thesecond end 84.

As a result of the apertures 80 being of a relatively larger size thanthe bent end portions 32 of the pipe 30, cool air from the evaporatorassembly 20 can escape through the aperture 80, especially through theintermediate portion 86, to the exterior of the evaporator assembly 20and the end brackets 22, 24. If the cool air escapes, the air stream 42,shown in FIG. 2, will not be cooled as efficiently. As already shownpartially in FIG. 5, to restrict the loss of the air stream, end fins 60can be installed in contact with the first end bracket 22 and the secondend bracket 24 to prevent air from passing between the end fins 60 andthe end brackets 22, 24 without encountering each of the heat transferfins 50, 60. In FIG. 7, broken lines show where the end fins 60 arelocated relative to the apertures 80 of the first end bracket 22. Byblocking the apertures 80, this prevents the reintroduction of warm airinto the fresh food compartment without being first exposed to asufficient heat transfer surface area to cool the air as desired, byencountering each of the heat transfer fins 50, 60. In this example, thewarm returning air stream 43 is guided toward the bottom of theevaporator assembly 20 and the bottom row of the pipe 30 from where theair stream 43 will pass over the greatest possible heat transfer surfacearea to efficiently cool the air stream 43. In the example shown, twoend fins 60 are provided to restrict or seal the air stream 43 fromflowing through each aperture 80 on the first end bracket 22 and thesecond end bracket 24.

The first end bracket 22 can further include a first edge 90 and asecond edge 92. The first edge 90 is configured to contact the cover 70shown in FIG. 3. The second edge 92 is configured to contact a wall ofthe liner 19 shown in FIG. 2. A gasket 94 can be provided on the firstedge 90 and the second edge 92 of each end bracket 22, 24 to preventfrost formation on the liner 19 and the cover 70. The gasket 94 preventsfrost formation on the cover 70 due to the gasket 94 separating each endbracket 22, 24 from contacting the liner 19 or from contacting the cover70.

As shown in FIG. 8, an example of the second end bracket 24 is shownfrom a side view. The second end bracket 24 also includes a plurality ofapertures 80. The plurality of apertures 80 is configured to receive thebent end portions 32 of the pipe 30. It is appreciated that the secondend bracket 24 can include a second aperture 81 of a different shape toallow a set of rows of the pipe 30 in a first vertical plane, such asthe top layer of coils, to reach a second vertical plane, such as amiddle layer of coils. The second end bracket 24 also includes a firstedge 90 and a second edge 92. The first edge 90 is configured to contactthe cover 70 shown in FIG. 3. The second edge 92 is configured tocontact a wall of the liner 19 shown in FIG. 2. A gasket 94 can beprovided on the first edge 90 and the second edge 92 of each end bracket22, 24 to prevent frost formation on the liner 19 and the cover 70. Thegasket 94 on the second end bracket 24 functions in the same way as onthe first end bracket 22.

As shown in FIG. 9, a top view of FIG. 7 is shown, with the pipe 30 andthe bent end portions 32 being received by the end bracket 22. Anexample of the end fins 60 being in contact with the end bracket 22 isalso shown. The dimensions of the fins 50 and the end fins 60 are byexample only. The arrangement of the fins 50 can be altered such thatvarying densities of fins 50 be provided as desired on different rows ofthe pipe 30.

As shown in FIG. 10A, an example fin 50 is shown. In this example, eachof the fins 50 include three pipe apertures 58A, 58B, and 58C to receivethree different segments of the pipe 30. The pipe apertures 58A, 58B,and 58C are not large enough to receive any of the U-turn, bent endportions 32 of the pipe 30 and only can receive a segment of the pipe 30of the evaporator coils. In one example, the first pipe aperture 58A canreceive a pipe located on the left side of the end bracket 24 in FIG. 5.The second pipe aperture 58B can receive a pipe located in the middle ofthe end bracket 24. The third pipe aperture 58C can receive a pipelocated on the right side of the end bracket 24. In FIG. 10A, the fin 50is in a first orientation 54. As shown in FIG. 10B, the fin 50 can be ina second orientation 56. The first orientation 54 can be opposite thesecond orientation 56, such that the fin 50 is upside-down. This isshown by the first pipe aperture 58A being located on the left in FIG.10A and the first pipe aperture 58A being located on the right in FIG.10B.

A method of assembling the evaporator assembly 20 for a refrigerationappliance can also be provided. The example method provided is oneexample of a method for forming the evaporator assembly 20. FIG. 11shows a plurality of pipes, which in this example there are three pipes(30A, 30B, 30C). For example, the first pipe 30A starts at a first end38A and terminates at a second end 38B. Each of the pipes 30A, 30B, 30Care in a different plane, such as in a different vertical plane. A firstgroup of fins can then be inserted on the pipes 30A, 30B, 30C from thesecond end 38B and moved towards the first end 38A. The first group offins can have a first orientation 54, as shown in FIG. 10A. Each fin 50receives each of the pipes 30A, 30B, 30C provided. A second group offins 50 are inserted in the second orientation 56. Additional groups offins are inserted in orientations alternating between the firstorientation 54 and the second orientation 56. The orientations of thefins 50 in combination with the orientation of the bent end portions 32allow only one type of fin 50 to be produced for the entire evaporatorassembly. Each of the bends actually occur at an angle relative to ahorizontal line, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. The difference in heightof the pipe portions corresponds to the different between the third pipeaperture 58C and the right edge of the fin 50 in FIG. 10A. Thus, thealternating orientations 54, 56 allow the fins 50 to be located at thesame height relative to the end brackets 22, 24, as shown best in FIG.5.

After all of the groups of fins 50 are inserted, the pipes can then bebent. Each of the pipes 30A, 30B, 30C can first be bent along a firstaxis 34 to form a second row of pipes. Each of the pipes 30A, 30B, 30Ccan then be bent along a second axis 36 to form a third row for each ofthe plurality of pipes. A number of bends can be repeatedly made alongthe first axis 34 and the second axis 36 to form additional rows of thepipe. A top view of the first pipe 30A is shown in FIG. 12 which shows aplurality of bends along the first axis 34 and the second axis 36. It isappreciated that the fins in this view also extend to the second pipe30B and the third pipe 30C. After each of the bends, it can be seen thatthe first row of the pipe will include fins in a first orientation 54.The second row will include fins 50 in a second orientation 56. Thefirst orientation can be upside-down from the orientation but otheralternative orientations can also be used.

A first end bracket 22, as shown in FIG. 7, can then be installed aboutthe first axis 34 by providing the first end bracket 22 with a pluralityof apertures 80 that receive each of the plurality of bent end portions32 about the first axis. A second end bracket 24, as shown in FIG. 8,can then be installed about the second axis 36 by providing the secondend bracket 24 with a plurality of apertures 80, 81 that receive each ofthe plurality of bent end portions 32 about the second axis 36. Theplurality of fins 50 located closest to each end bracket 22, 24 can thenbe placed in contact with each end bracket 22, 24 to prevent air fromflowing through the plurality of apertures 80, 81 on the end brackets22, 24.

The pipes 30A, 30B, 30C can then be joined together in a number of ways,such as by welding. The first end and the second end of each of theplurality of pipes 30A, 30B, 30C can be welded to other ends orconnecting pipe segments to assemble the plurality of pipes into onecontinuous page. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, a first weld canbe made at point 120. This weld would attach an end of the first pipe30A to an end of the second pipe 30B. A second weld can be made at point122 to attach the third pipe 30C to an exit pipe that connects to anaccumulator 130. The second weld can also be made at point 122 to join apipe 132 that receives refrigerant from another evaporator. The pipe 132can transport refrigerant from a storage evaporator that is configuredto maintain the temperature of air within a fresh food compartment andfrom an ice maker evaporator that is configured to produce ice. A thirdweld can be made at point 124 to attach a second end of the first pipe30A to an entry or exit pipe. A fourth weld can be made at point 126 toattach second end of the second pipe 30B to a second end of the thirdpipe 30C. The method can include various numbers of pipes and variousbending designs. A first gasket can also be installed on a first edgeand a second edge of the first end bracket. A second gasket can also beinstalled on a first edge and a second edge of the second end bracket.The gasket that is installed is described with regards to FIG. 7 andFIG. 8. The heating element 100 can also be installed on the first endbracket 22 and the second end bracket 24. The heating element 100extends between the first end bracket 22 and the second end bracket 24on the bottom portion of the evaporator assembly 20. The heating element100, as already described, is configured for defrosting the continuouspipe 30.

The invention has been described with reference to the exampleembodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur toothers upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Exampleembodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the invention areintended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar asthey come within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigeration appliance comprising: acompartment; an evaporator assembly located to cool the compartment;wherein the evaporator assembly includes: a pipe configured to transporta refrigerant that exchanges heat with an air stream from thecompartment that is entering the evaporator assembly; a fan assemblyconfigured to move the air stream exiting from the evaporator assemblyto other portions of the refrigeration appliance; wherein the pipe has aplurality of bent end portions to allow the pipe to wind itselfrepeatedly to form a plurality of rows; a plurality of fins inserted onthe pipe where the plurality of fins are located between the pluralityof the bent end portions; a first end bracket and a second end bracketlocated at a first distance from the first end bracket wherein the firstend bracket and the second end bracket each include a plurality ofapertures to receive each bent end portion of the pipe; wherein thefirst end bracket and the second end bracket are configured to hold thepipe and the plurality of fins in a specific position; wherein the firstend bracket and the second end bracket are configured to mount theevaporator assembly; wherein the first end bracket and the second endbracket restrict the air stream exiting the evaporator assembly frommixing with the air stream entering the evaporator assembly; and whereinthe plurality of fins include a plurality of end fins that are placed indirect contact with the first end bracket and are configured to furtherrestrict the air stream from flowing through the plurality of aperturesof the first end bracket and the second end bracket.
 2. Therefrigeration appliance of claim 1, wherein two end fins are used torestrict the air stream from flowing through at least one of theplurality of apertures on the first end bracket and the second endbracket.
 3. The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, further comprising:at least one return duct configured to expel the air stream from thecompartment to a passage, wherein the passage guides the air stream to abottom portion of the rows of the pipe.
 4. The refrigeration applianceof claim 1, further comprising: a heating element attached to each endbracket and extending along a bottom portion of the evaporator assembly;wherein the heating element is configured for defrosting the pipe. 5.The refrigeration appliance of claim 1, further comprising: a firstgroup of fins are inserted on a first row of the pipe in a firstorientation; a second group of fins are inserted on a second row of thepipe in a second orientation; wherein the first orientation isupside-down from the second orientation.
 6. The refrigeration applianceof claim 1, further comprising: a fan assembly cover placed over the fanassembly wherein the fan assembly cover is configured to direct the airstream into a duct for transportation of the air stream into otherportions of the refrigeration appliance.
 7. The refrigeration applianceof claim 6, wherein the fan assembly moves the air stream in a generallyhorizontal direction and the fan assembly cover directs the air streamin a generally vertical direction into the duct.
 8. A refrigerationappliance comprising: a freezer compartment; a fresh food compartment;an evaporator assembly located in the freezer compartment; wherein theevaporator assembly includes: a first end bracket; a second end bracketlocated at a first distance from the first end bracket; wherein thefirst end bracket and the second end bracket are configured to mount theevaporator assembly within the freezer compartment; a pipe extendingbetween the first end bracket and the second end bracket of theevaporator assembly, wherein the pipe is configured to transport arefrigerant that exchanges heat with an air stream from the fresh foodcompartment that enters the evaporator assembly between the first endbracket and the second end bracket; a fan assembly configured to movethe air stream exiting from the evaporator assembly to other portions ofthe refrigeration appliance; a plurality of apertures located on thefirst end bracket and the second end bracket; wherein the pipe has aplurality of bent end portions where each of the plurality of the bentend portions is received by one of the plurality of apertures on thefirst end bracket and the second end bracket, wherein the bent endportions are configured to allow the pipe to wind itself repeatedly toform a plurality of rows between the first end bracket and the secondend bracket; a plurality of fins inserted on the pipe where theplurality of fins are located between the first end bracket and thesecond end bracket; wherein the plurality of fins include a plurality ofend fins that are placed in direct contact with the first end bracketand the second end bracket and are configured to restrict the air streamfrom flowing through the plurality of apertures wherein the first endbracket and the second end bracket include a gasket on a first edge anda second edge of each end bracket wherein the gasket is configured toseparate each end bracket from a liner of the freezer compartment toprevent a formation of frost on the liner.
 9. The refrigerationappliance of claim 8, wherein two end fins are used to restrict the airstream from flowing through at least one of the plurality of apertureson the first end bracket and the second end bracket.
 10. Therefrigeration appliance of claim 8, further comprising: a cover placedover the evaporator assembly; wherein the gasket is configured toseparate each end bracket from the cover to prevent a formation of froston the cover.
 11. The refrigeration appliance of claim 8, furthercomprising: at least one return duct configured to expel the air streamfrom the fresh food compartment to a passage, wherein the passage guidesthe air stream to a bottom portion of the rows of the pipe.
 12. Therefrigeration appliance of claim 8, further comprising: a heatingelement attached to each end bracket and extending along a bottomportion of the evaporator assembly; wherein the heating element isconfigured for defrosting the pipe.
 13. The refrigeration appliance ofclaim 8, further comprising: a first group of fins are inserted on afirst row of the pipe in a first orientation; a second group of fins areinserted on a second row of the pipe in a second orientation; whereinthe first orientation is upside-down from the second orientation. 14.The refrigeration appliance of claim 8, further comprising: a fanassembly cover placed over the fan assembly wherein the fan assemblycover is configured to direct the air stream into a duct fortransportation of the air stream into other portions of therefrigeration appliance.
 15. The refrigeration appliance of claim 14,wherein the fan assembly moves the air stream in a generally horizontaldirection and the fan assembly cover directs the air stream in agenerally vertical direction into the duct.
 16. A method of assemblingan evaporator assembly for a refrigeration appliance comprising thesteps of: providing a plurality of pipes starting at a first end andterminating at a second end wherein each pipe provided is in a differentplane; inserting a plurality of groups of fins on the plurality of pipeswherein each fin receives each of the pipes provided, and wherein thegroups of fins are inserted in alternating orientations; bending each ofthe pipes along a first axis to form a second row for each of theplurality of pipes; bending each of the pipes along a second axis toform a third row for each of the plurality of pipes; repeatedly bendingeach of the pipes along the first axis and then the second axis to formadditional rows of the pipes; installing a first end bracket about thefirst axis by providing the first end bracket with a plurality ofapertures that receive each of the plurality of bent end portions aboutthe first axis; installing a second end bracket about the second axis byproviding the second end bracket with a plurality of apertures thatreceive each of the plurality of bent end portions about the secondaxis; placing the plurality of fins located closest to each end bracketin contact with each end bracket to prevent air from flowing through theplurality of apertures on each end bracket; and welding the first endand the second end of each of the plurality of pipes to other ends orpipe segments to assemble the plurality of pipes into one continuouspipe.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of pipes includethree pipes; and wherein each of the plurality of fins and the pluralityof fins located closest to each end bracket include three pipe aperturesto receive the three pipes.
 18. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising the steps of: installing a first gasket on a first edge and asecond edge of the first end bracket; installing a second gasket on afirst edge and a second edge of the second end bracket; wherein thefirst gasket and the second gasket are configured to separate each endbracket from a liner of a freezer compartment to prevent a formation offrost on the liner.
 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising thestep of: installing a heating element on the first end bracket and thesecond end bracket, wherein the heating element extends between thefirst end bracket and the second end bracket on a bottom portion of theevaporator assembly; and wherein the heating element is configured fordefrosting the pipe.